LBW: Cricketers opening their hearts to help the disadvantaged

Raj Natarajan

Having played a little bit of grade cricket in my home town Bengaluru, I never realised that the game is much bigger than just providing sporting activities. Cricket has become a big part of my life as the game has fostered friendships and opportunities wherever I travelled around the World. When I received my permanent resident visa to Australia in 1988, I was working in Nairobi, Kenya and was undecided about migrating to Australia due to perceived difficulties I and my family may face in assimilating with the Australian society. I thought I will seek the advice from an Aussie and a Sydneysider, Vic McClelland who was my work mate and an expatriate like me. Vic’s advice to me was very simple: quote – “mate you are a cricket fan and you drink beer so you should be alright in Australia” – unquote.  He was absolutely right and I quickly found out, after arriving in Sydney, that Australia is a sports mad country and from the taxi driver to the board rooms you assimilate with the people readily if you talk sports and enjoy a drink with them.

However little did I know that cricket can also be a catalyst for helping the disadvantaged across the World until I learnt about LBW which means -“Learning for a Better World”.  The LBW Trust draws on the generosity of the Australian and international cricketing community to provide transformational educational opportunities for young men and women in the developing world. LBW’s support helps these young men and women to graduate so that they will have the opportunity to play an important part in improving the future of their communities and nations.

The LBW Trust was established in 2006, with the belief that people in the cricket-playing world can work together to level the global playing field in education. The LBW Trust currently supports approximately 1500 tertiary students to undertake university or vocational education via 11 Non Government Organizations (NGOs) in 8 cricket playing countries: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Afghanistan and Indonesia. The LBW Trust accepts applications from NGO organisations based in developing countries only. The LBW Trust enjoys the support of the international cricketing community, with Patrons such as Kumar Sangakkara, Rahul Dravid, Greg Chappell and Adam Gilchrist, alongside an influential collection of business, media, and political leaders.

​What projects does LBW fund? The Trust helps established non-government organisations (NGOs) that support students to enrol and complete: a) Recognised university courses; or b) Accredited educational or vocational training courses; or c) Associated infrastructure for above programs. The LBW Trust does not accept applications directly from individual students. The LBW Trust prioritises tuition fees which are to be paid directly by the NGO to an educational institution. The exceptions to this principle are:

• in certain circumstances, where appropriate, paying a small allowance for expenses necessary for the student to attend the institution, including text books and learning materials, and accommodation expenses;

• where approved by the Board, LBW Trust will contribute funds to the initial capital expense of establishing infrastructure for existing institutions, which meet funding conditions and priorities.

It is The LBW Trust’s intention to support each project for the requested duration. In the case of student scholarships, this would be for the term of the undertaken course. However, The LBW reserves the right, at all times, to review the support of each project, giving consideration to the progress of students, whether the agreed project outcomes are being met, and available funds. Those interested in applying, can email The LBW trust at educationcommittee@lbwtrust.com.au  to express their interest.

So where do the funds for these projects come from? The LBW Trust fundraises through charitable donations, the LBW Trust Annual Dinner, Batting for Change events, and Women for Change fundraising campaigns. Each of these avenues draws on the support of Australians, the cricketing community, and the diverse group of Board of Directors, Committee Members, Patrons, and Ambassadors. The LBW’s Board of Directors consist of a wide range of professionals, from journalists and authors to accountants, bankers, teachers, lawyers and business people, all bound by a common philanthropic passion and a love of cricket. The LBW is extraordinarily fortunate to have a high-profile group of Patrons that includes a former Prime Minister, the current and previous Governor-General, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Chief of the Defence Force and cricketers regarded as greats of the game.

The LBW trust is registered with The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) which is the national regulator of charities. This ensures total transparency and accountability of the funds received and disbursed. Therefore if you love cricket and would like to translate that love to help disadvantaged young people in developing countries, here is a great opportunity and the best way to get involved is through LBW web site: https://www.lbwtrust.com.au/ and for further information, contact Kylie Strawbridge , General Manager, The LBW Trust / Batting for Change.

​